Spain: A Gourmet’s Travel Guide

There are many stereotypes that exist about travel in Spain, and whilst we won’t reprimand those drawn to this enigmatic land by visions of sultry castanet-clicking senoritas or magnificent cape-wielding matadors in their trajes de luces, suffice to say there’s much more to Spain than flamenco and bull-fighting…

Madrid

Starting with the capital, Madrid, and you’ve got a colorful bustling modern metropolis, with some of the world’s finest art museums, like El Prado and La Reina Sofia, a nightlife where coming home at dawn = an early night, and fantastic parks like El Retiro. Yes, they like to stage a corrida or two in the capital, but you’ll find the main arena is Bernabeu, where the latest version of Real Madrid’s galacticos sweep aside (nearly) all that dare to step foot on this hallowed turf. Here in the capital life is so rich and so intense that it’s hard not to imagine yourself as a character in an Almodovar film (hell, you’re nearly as good looking as Antonio Banderas or Penelope Cruz, right?) and of course food and wine play a huge part in the sensual lives of Madrilenos. Follow their lead by sampling morcilla (blood sausage) or huevos rotos (a sumptuous medley of fried potatoes, eggs and chorizo sausage) at the best tapas bars in the city, nibbling on artisan cheeses and tucking into chocolate and churros at regal cafes that look like they haven’t changed one iota since Hemingway’s days. As you’d expect Madrid also has it’s fair share of Michelin-starred restaurants, trendy coctelerias and the like, whilst wine lovers can take private wine tasting tours to vineyards outside the city, or simply go by train, or time their visit to co-incidence with the Madrid wine festival.

Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain’s second biggest city and the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia, is often accused of eclipsing Madrid. Its star has been in the ascendancy ever since the 1992 Olympic Games saw it transformed from smelly provincial port into cosmopolitan coastal resort in what seemed like a blink of the eye. Beautiful, brash and independent (watch your step, the local Catalan population don’t like being considered part of Spain!), this city not only sparkles with Gaudi’s creations and the sunlight reflecting off the Mediterranean sea, but it’s also a foodie’s paradise, thanks to its traditional and modern tapas bars, its authentic xampanyerias, and its trendy restaurants serving innovative Catalan cuisine (this is where Ferran Adria harks from after all!). Around Barcelona lies some of the best wine-making country in Iberia in the form of the Penedes, and this is where Spain’s legendary sparkling wine made in Champagne style – Cava – is made. Many of the region’s best wineries and vineyards are accessible by train, or else numerous tour companies offering wine tasting excursions from Barcelona exist if you simply want to pay and go.

Northern Spain

A lush, verdant and wild world unto itself Northern Spain, incorporates such diverse terrain as the rias of Galicia, the Basque beaches, the valleys of Cantabrica and the vineyards of Rioja, to name but a few highlights. For the foodie the treasures are even more numerous. Galician seafood is deservedly world famous and there’s no better time to taste it than on the same day it was plucked wriggling from the Atlantic ocean, whilst the along the Basque coast cities like Bilbao and San Sebastian abound with restaurants, gastro bars and tapas joints either selling traditional pintxos or Michelin-starred modern twists on the regional cuisine. Drinks-wise, and of course La Rioja, with its dazzling “design wineries” steals the headlines, but there’s a lot to be said for artisan Galician wines… and how about sampling the cider from Asturias? Culture vultures will also find plenty to sink their teeth into, from Bilbao’s glistening futuristic Guggenheim museum to the prehistoric cave paintings of Altamira.

Southern Spain

The southern region of Andalucía embodies every aspect of your wildest Spanish dreams: gypsy women parading regal horses down slim, windy corridors during the Feria Seville; almost translucent cuts of cured jamon alongside fresh seafood; long sparkling sand beaches gleaming with rays of golden sun. For the history buffs among you, there are numerous majestic cultural heritage sites to visit, masterful works of art gracing ancient walls of cathedrals and small pueblito houses, not to mention the vast number of castles and fortresses that dot the region’s landscape. Nearly a fifth of Andalucia’s flora and fauna are protected, reflecting the unspoilt nature of its countryside where you can picnic with a basket full of fresh orange compote, cured meats, sheep’s cheese and enough locally grown veggies to make the rabbits jealous. It’s food mecca, and one that shouldn’t be ignored on your next visit to Spain!

Tours of Spain

If you want some professional help on exploring Spanish shores, then check out Catavino’s recommended food and wine tasting tours in Spain. We’ve compiled some tantalising options for the gourmet traveller to consider, sourced from the pool of local experts, sommeliers and travel guides we’ve been lucky enough to meet whilst living and working in Iberia.

Header image by Francisco Manuel Esteban

Highlighted Tours

Private Vejer de la Frontera, Andalusia

Food

Andalucia: Spanish Cooking Course

This relaxing 7 day tour is not only for those who adore food, but for anyone who needs a...

Facebook Reviews

What an amazing trip with a fantastic group of people. It was an education about wine we couldn't have experienced anywhere else. Our guide, Ryan Opaz, was extremely knowledgable and brought great enthusiasm to the experience.

Fantastic tour of the Portugal wine country organized and conducted by the Catavino team. Echoing the comments of the previous reviews below, my wife and I experienced one memorable experience topped each day by the next memorable experience. A week of friendship, learning and interacting all in an environment that was stimulating and stress free. Kudos to Catavino for a wonderful and supremely well organized trip.

Having recently completed Catavino's 2017 Custom Harvest Tour, I am still basking in the afterglow of a full week of cushy hotels, beautiful landscapes, long, succulent dinners highlighting the depth of Portuguese cuisine, and, of course, the spectacular wines from the best regions of Portugal. Catavino has crafted a harvest experience that uniquely capitalizes on Ryan's personal relationships with some of Portugal's preeminent winemakers. This allows us into their cellars for intimate tastings and onto their terraces for wonderful lunches personally hosted by the owners and winemakers. It is a wonderful learning experience for novices and wine geeks alike. Ryan is a great host, and his knowledge and insights add immensely to the experience. This was my second Harvest Tour with Catavino and they continue to deliver a very satisfying week of Portuguese culture, food and wine. A short review can't do justice to a week long trip. I highly recommend that you sign on to one of their trips and find out for yourself!

Our Fall Harvest trip through the Douro valley led by Ryan Opaz and organized by the talented team at Catavino was truly a once in a lifetime experience (well maybe twice)! This was an ongoing visual and sensory experience from start to finish with several “pinch yourself” moments along the way. Like most learning experiences I feel like I’ve retained a fraction of what I learned about the wines and cuisine or Portugal. I guess that’s a reason to do it again

We just completed a Fall Harvest tour that was organized and led by Catavino Tours. The entire experience was wonderful and met all of our expectations. The tour included several days in and near Lisbon, and then five days in Porto and the wineries and vineyards along the Douro River. All aspects of the tour were planned to provide an exceptional experience for our group of eleven friends. Our tour guide, Ryan Opaz, was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, the Quintas, the history of Port and Portuguese table wine and the country of Portugal. Finally, the food was amazing and included several dinners and lunches with wine makers who were personally know by Ryan. The tour and experience could not have been better!

The Catavino team is world class. A tour with them is guaranteed to be something that you won't forget.
They show you a true picture of what goes on, busting myths about the wine and port industry to show you the real side of Douro. Their level of knowledge is incredible, and we had access to wine tasting, grape stomping and meet the faces behind the wine industry. I can't even begin to describe the amazing lunch at the farm, overlooking the most spectacular views that only the Douro provides - breath taking!!
It is guaranteed to be filled with passion and love, leaving you with a yearning to come back time and time again.
Can't recommend this enough.

My husband and I had a wonderful day on a private tour with Ryan throughout the Douro Valley. He is extremely knowledgeable and helped us learn to appreciate Port. Beyond the wonderful private tasting sessions, he also brought us to a delicious lunch at a local Portuguese restaurant. Throughout the entire day, he provided us with tips and recommendations for the remainder of our journey throughout Portugal. The whole day was the highlight of our trip! We would HIGHLY recommend it!

Incredible experience in a beautiful city. Mariana was an amazing guide - we learned so much, sampled some amazing food, and had fun doing it. Two couples were with our 15- and 17-month-old boys and we never felt rushed or out of place. Highly recommend!

Ana arranged a trip for my client through Portugal. My client is a single woman traveling alone and she had the time of her life! I felt very good about having her in Catavino's hands. Thank you for introducing her to Portugal in such a wonderful manner.

I can only second the comments written here. Catavino is highly professional and will stop at nothing to give you an incredible, unforgettable time. All the biggest highlights from my recent trip to Portugal and Spain were made possible by Catavino. I know how much work goes into it- thank you so much Ryan and team. I'd trust you with my holidays any time.

We were part of the 2016 Harvest Tour and had the experience of a lifetime! The Douro Valley is breathtakingly beautiful and our guides were wonderful. Ryan and Gabriella must have called in all of their personal favors because we met and drank wine with many winemakers, a wine shop owner and tasted '72 port which Oscar Quevedo's grandfather had made. Doesn't get any more special than that! Of course, gourmet food at every meal as well. We'll be back!!

When there were hiccups in the itinerary; Catavino was nothing but gracious. They understood what our visit meant to us & offered us fantastic guides & activities. We ooh'ed & aah'ed, ate & drank almost too well (!) & we laughed for days. Deep thanks.

No enough words, even for a wordsmith like me, to say how wonderful it was spending time with Gabriella and Ryan. Our tour with Ryan as our guide to the Douro Valley was spectacular. Excellent wines, wonderful views, terrific people and a delightful lunch topped off with a lovely boat ride. Highly recommended!!

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Google Reviews

This team is first class, they are knowledgeable of all areas of wine, and the Douro. If you are looking for something to do when in Porto I cant recommend their tours enough - first class.
Many places here say they offer the authentic version of Porto, but rarely do - these tours go into places that others don't, they bust the myths of wine, Port and give you the real insights, show you the faces behind the wine.
The tours offered here give you something that is unique, filled with passion and love for this wonderful city and surrounding areas.

Anita Breland

13:51 19 Sep 17

Looking to enjoy a great excursion through some of the world's most beautiful vineyards? Our group's tour off the beaten path with Catavino was a carefree day of discovery in fine company, and with memorable food and wine. A big plus was an opportunity to spend time with a winemaker happy to share his family story, expertise and excellent wine. I cannot think of a better way to experience the authentic Douro!

Cornell Anderson

11:23 04 Oct 17

We just completed a Fall Harvest tour that was organized and led by Catavino Tours. The entire experience was wonderful and met all of our expectations. The tour included several days in and near Lisbon, and then five days in Porto and the wineries and vineyards along the Douro River. All aspects of the tour were planned to provide an exceptional experience for our group of eleven friends. Our tour guide, Ryan Opaz, was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, the Quintas, the history of Port and Portuguese table wine and the country of Portugal. Finally, the food was amazing and included several dinners and lunches with wine makers who were personally know by Ryan. The tour and experience could not have been better!

Julie Dawn Fox

14:18 21 Sep 17

Just spent a wonderful day in the Douro wine region with the Catavino team and a local winemaker. We had breathtaking views of a side of the Douro that most visitors don't get to see, knowledgeable explanations of the grapes, wines and processes and of course, delicious table and port wines, some poured straight from the barrel. The highlight of the day was the chance to join the Purple Foot Club by treading grapes in stone tanks.

Flavio Bastos Amiel

09:53 19 Sep 17

Yesterday we had the chance to visit a few places in the Douro with Catavino. We had the chance to meet one very young producer (Oscar Quevedo: thanks!) who did a complete tour through one of his vineyards and educated us on the different types of grapes the Douro has to offer and how the wine in this winery is made. The highlight was a great food experience in the winery while staring at the amazing Douro landscape, while sipping whites, red and port wine from the same house. Thanks!!

Tom Fakler

09:26 15 Nov 17

Outstanding day trip from Porto with Catavino!
We spent a day off the beaten path in the Douro wine region and its spectacular scenery. We visited a winery where the vintner gave us the most authentic and informative tour of the vineyards and wine cellar we have had. We tasted this year’s new wine and port from a 10,000-liter cask. We had a gourmet lunch with wines perfectly paired.
Our tour was in the harvest season and we were able to participate in the traditional stomping of grapes in a granite lagar. It was a fun time for all!
Catavino and team know the area and vintners well, and this made our day truly special.

David Waldschmidt

15:35 15 Oct 17

My wife and I had a first rate experience touring the wine country in Portugal. Catavino Tours organized the trip for us and friends. The tour was organized down to the most specific details permitting us an experience unencumbered with worry or stress. Best of all, Catavino is extremely well versed in the wine business, the wine country and the people behind the wineries. As a result, we were treated to experiences and face to face interactions that we would never have had on our own or with someone less tied into the art of making wine.